The effects of qualitative and quantitative protein malnutrition on electrolyte homeokinesis in serum of Wistar rats
Balkaya, MuharremVoyvoda, HüseyinÜnsal, HümeyraÜnsal, Cengiz
Background: Proteins having structural and various regulatory functions are essential components of all unicellular and multicellular organisms. The only source of proteins and their building blocks, amino acids, for human and many animals are the proteins and amino acids in their foods. Although qualitative and quantitative protein malnutrition are common problems in animals and men, the impacts of dietary proteins on serum electrolytes are still controversial. Materials, Methods & Results: Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of 6 or 7 animals serving as controls, and quantitative or qualitative protein malnutrition groups. Animals were held in metabolic cages individually in a conventional room with 12:12 h day/night cycle, 29C temperature and 50-70% relative humidity. After a 10-day acclimation period controls (n = 7) were given rat chow diet consisting of 24% protein, while other groups received an almost N-free diet (quantitative malnutrition) or a diet containing 20% gelatin as protein source (qualitative malnutrition) for 35 days. Food and tap water were given animals ad libitum during acclimation period and throughout the experiment. At the end of experiment, blood samples were collected and Na+ , K+ and Cl- concentrations in serum were determined. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, ANCOVA and Pearsons correlation test. Dietary interventions h
Texto completo